Achilles Tendonitis

In this short video, Dr. Casey Crisp defines Achilles tendonitis and Achilles tendinosis. He demonstrates some simple movements you can incorporate into your day to help eliminate pain and strengthen your Achilles tendon. By treating the problem at the source, Airrosti eliminates the pain quickly in an average of just three visits. Click here to learn more about what to expect at your first visit to Airrosti.

Achilles tendonitis occurs when the Achilles tendon becomes inflamed and irritated after overuse or an injury. This inflammation inhibits the tendon’s ability to move smoothly and can cause sharp, nagging pain near the back of the lower leg where the calf muscles connect to the heel bone — sidelining you for a month or longer. Airrosti, however, helps patients return to pain-free activity quickly, without the use of pain medication or painful injections. Learn how Airrosti’s approach to targeting pain eliminates pain in an average of just three visits.

Achilles Tendonitis

Achilles tendonitis is a common condition that causes pain along the back of the leg near the heel. The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body. It connects your calf muscles to your heel bone and is used when you walk, run, and jump. Although the Achilles tendon can withstand great stresses from running and jumping, it is also prone to tendonitis, a condition associated with overuse and degeneration.

Tendons become inflamed for a variety of reasons, and the action of pulling the muscle becomes irritating. If the normal, smooth gliding motion of the tendon is impaired, the tendon will become inflamed and movement will become painful. This is called tendonitis, meaning inflammation of the tendon.

Achilles tendonitis is typically not related to a specific injury. The problem results from repetitive stress to the tendon. This often happens when we push our bodies to do too much, too soon, but other factors can make it more likely to develop tendinitis, including: a sudden increase in the amount or intensity of exercise activity, tight calf muscles, or a bone spur that has developed where the tendon attaches to the heel bone. Achilles tendinitis most commonly occurs in runners who have suddenly increased the intensity or duration of their runs.

The pain associated with Achilles tendonitis typically begins as a mild ache in the back of the leg or above the heel after running or participating in other sports activity. Episodes of more severe pain may occur after prolonged running, stair climbing, or sprinting. You might also experience tenderness or stiffness, especially in the morning, which usually improves with mild activity.

The structure of the Achilles tendon weakens with age, which can make it more susceptible to injury — particularly in people who may participate in sports only on the weekends. The condition is more common in men than women. A naturally flat arch in your foot can only increase your risk, as can obesity. Other risk factors include running in worn out shoes, running in cold weather, and running on hilly terrain.

Traditional Treatment Options

The first thing you’ll probably have to do is cut back your training and reduce your activity. Training modification is essential to treatment of this potentially long lasting problem. The first phase of healing should be accompanied by relative rest. You can take aspirin or ibuprofen to reduce pain and swelling, and ice the area for 15 to 20 minutes several times a day until the inflammation subsides. It may take six to eight weeks to resolve the condition and return to your regular running/training schedule.

If a long period of rest or reduced activity is not an option for you, Airrosti can help. Our safe and effective treatment can resolve your tendonitis injury in as few as three visits (based on patient-reported outcomes). In most cases, you can continue your normal level of activity during the duration of your treatment. You’ll also receive individualized at-home exercises you can use to further speed recovery and prevent future injuries.